Chapter 791: Nostalgia, Spells and Memory

Chapter 791: Nostalgia, Spells and Memory

Under the midnight air, Alex Roth stood on the balcony of the villa. He looked over the courtyard with a dreamy smile, taking in the sounds, sights and scents of the Generasian countryside under moonlight.

Fireflies glowing in the distance.Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

Crickets chirping.

A warm wind.

Torakas golems patrolling the courtyard.

All were comforting. No more frigid Irtyshenan nights, huddled by a fire with the hidden church stalking him, Birger and Bjorgrund. Just the comfort of home.

The sound of a door creeping open behind him caught his attention.

Theresa emerged into the moonlight, clad in her nightgown with her hair still damp from her bath. His face lit up.

By the Traveller, I missed you, he thought as the huntress closed the door behind her, slipping up beside him.

She pressed her body against him, and their lips met.

They did not part for a long time.

She pulled away, breathing deeply. By the Traveller, Ive wanted to do that for months.

We kissed after we killed the First Apostle, and yes, Im keeping track. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

And, we haven't made up for lost time yet. She nuzzled into his shoulder. Theres been a lot of lost kisses and moments that weve missed. We have a lot to make up for.

Well, were together again. We can make up for lost time. Alex smiled. Weve got all the time in the world.

Not quite yet, Theresa reminded him. Theres darkness ahead of us.

And well face it together. All of us, butmost of allustogether, he said.

Like when we left Alric, she agreed. You and me. Together. Looking out for each other, and for Selina and Brutus.

Ya, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. I love you, Theresa. I want you to always remember that. And I want you to know Alex gestured to the night. Im going to make sure we can experience all of this together, forever. The Ravener wont stop us.

No, Alex. Well make sure that doesnt happen. She kissed him again.

Youre right, he agreed. Well make sure. He cupped her chin and looked into her eyes. I missed you, he whispered, softly kissing her forehead, her eyelids and moving down to her neck, before stopping. We should probably go inside before your parents see us.

She chuckled. Youre willing to face the Ravener but not my mother and father?

Alex looked at her completely seriously. Yes. Id rather pick fights I might be able to win.

She laughed then, and all was perfect.

###

Nostalgia.

Appearing in the schools practice stadium under the early morning sun, a wave of nostalgia washed over Alex. His companions materialised seconds later: Claygon, the Lus, Najyah, Theresa, Selina, Brutus, Khalik, Isolde and Thundar were all there.

Selina gasped, squinting at the sudden daylight, and a smile spreading from her lips to her eyes, took over her face. It's so good to be here on campus.

Yeah, it sure is, Alex agreed.

Looking around the stadium brought back a host of memories: first and second year students were practising combat spells using stone dummies, third years were studying in the stands, the flash of magic, crackle of fire, and the impact of forceall took him back to countless days spent here.

Long mornings where he, Khalik and Thundar jogged around the track, starting their days. Thats where hed learned that there was a proper and efficient way to jog, something hed never thought about before, something hed never cared about, before coming to Generasi. The Mark of the Fool had helped him with running properly, it was one of the very first uses hed found for it and he'd come so far since then.

Students around the practice began whispering. Alex heard Claygons name mentioned repeatedly; then his cabalmates, then Theresas and Brutus, then his.

Upper years paused what they were doing, openly staring.

Alex is back, a pudgy battle-mage said.

Alex Roth is back, whispered a skinny young man who Alex had never met before.

Wow, look at him! a bespectacled blonde murmured, looking appreciative.

Alex heard mention of the Games of Roal, mana vampires, golems and Thameland from upper year students.

Younger ones exchanged puzzled glances, Isnt Alex Roth the one who can teleport around like nothing? Doesnt he make golems? One of them asked the others he was practising with. Yes, and thats what I want to do too! the first year answered.

Well, Mrs. Lu said. You're certainly well-known.

Alex chuckled. You know what's funny? I walked through this campus yesterday without anyone saying a single word about me. He looked up at Claygon. I guess I'm a lot less noticeable when I don't have this guy beside me.

He does leave an impression, Thundar said.

Well, not everyone has to like mana manipulation as much as I do, Alex said. But, as long as you keep doing it: it's going to help you a lot.

I know: my tutor said my mana pool is already bigger than it should be, for someone my age, she said proudly. I'm glad, since it lets me practise longer, and fire magic is so much fun, I could practise all day. sometimes it feels as easy as breathing. No, that's not right. She paused, frowning. It is like breathing, you know how you feel uncomfortable when you hold your breath for too long? Then you feel this big relief when you take a breath again?

I know how that feels, Theresa said. I had to get good at holding my breath for long periods of time from hunting in the woods.

It's like that! Selina said. In its own way, casting a fire spell feels just like that, She smiled up at Khalik. Can you tell your mother how Im doing and thank her for me again?

I certainly will. Shell be pleased to hear of your progress, the prince smiled.

She smiled back. Oh, and I also learned this spell!

Taking out her knife, she spoke another incantation.

The dagger began glowing the colour of a sour cherry, and burst into flame.

This ones called Sunfire Metal, she said. It heats any piece of metal that I'm holding, and lights it on fire. People can use it as a weapon, or use it to do stuff like start campfires.

That's cool. Alex watched the blaze. Your fire affinity is really something, your spells have a lot of oomph to them.

Yeah, I can really feel the fire magic, she said. Just watch this She raised her hand, making a pinching motion beside the flaming dagger, then pulled back like she was ripping a dangling thread from a piece of cloth. The flames around the knife decreased as a line of glowing heat began following her finger before snapping back to the dagger.

Alexs jaw dropped. How did you do that?

Remember how I wanted to make cold from fire? she asked. I can sort ofuse manipulation to move the spella bit? It's hard to describe.

Thats something! I can't do that! Alex shook his head in admiration. That was amazing, Selina!

She blushed, beaming with pride at the same time. I can hardly wait to see what Ill be able to do in a few years if I keep practising it. Do you think you could do it too?

Alex frowned. Maaaaybe? It's not something that comes naturally to me, that's for sure. You're basically using mana manipulation to alter spells in a way thats not natural for most wizards. I can do some similar stuff with forceball, but it took a lot of modification. I think what youre doing comes from your own unique talent, Selina.

Your fire affinity is extraordinary. I wonder if youll become as powerful as your brother? Khalik said. But, we wont know that for awhile yet since youre just at the beginning of your journey. Alex is talented, but on top of that, his new Mark allows him to jump the line, as it were, and gives him an even greater edge since certain things that were limiting him are now gone, if you get my meaning. He glanced around the stadium, making sure there were no curious ears within earshot. He can do even more line jumping now. But, we all can do things that others cannot: a powerful demon has more raw power, but it does not have the versatility of even a lesser wizard.

That makes sense, Selina said. I can't wait to learn more and see what I can really do.

I'll be watching you every step of the way, Alex said. So, are you ready for a preview of a third-tier fire spell?

Oh, yes! I'd love that! she cried. Show me!

Alex turned to the mannequin, then paused. We, uh, might want to step back a bit.

Family and wizards stepped further away from the dummy, giving it plenty of distance. Alex raised a hand, pointing it in the direction of the stone target.

With the twitch of a finger and a slight movement of his tongue, he completed a magic circuit, and launched a fireball at the dummy. It exploded, bursting into flames.

HolyBy the Sapphire Sea! Khalik cried. That was quick!

By the elements, Isolde whispered. That was incredibly fast.

Well, that's fair, Thundar laughed sarcastically. You go from being one of the slowest spellcasters among us, to the fastest.

Again! Selina shouted.

Alex launched another fireball.

Gouts of flame exploded.

He launched two more for good measure, both exploded so fast, it seemed like theyd been cast by two mages in rapid succession.

All around, students were craning their necks, watching the escalating display.

Not bad, eh? Alex flexed his fingers, smiling. I learned a few new tricks while I was away, just like you did, Selina.

You have to teach me how to do that! she cried.

In time. Itll take a lot of practice and skill, and you have to know magic circuits and languages really well.

Could you teach us that skill? Khalik asked. I am quick with my incantations, but I have not seen such fast spellcasting since Professor Ram.

Yeah, Alex said. Which reminds me, I have to talk to him at some point. As for teaching you? Definitely, and I know youre all willing to learn: so I plan on teaching you and the Heroes. You probably won't pick it up as fast as I wouldsince the Mark gives me that advantage, as you saidbut the skill will help you a lot. We can talk about it when we meet up later. Speaking of which He paused, looking up at the position of the sun.

I have to go see Professor Jules later. We need to talk to Hobb about something, and at the same time? I'll see about getting you back into your classes, Selina.

She smiled. Awesome. I can't wait to show my teacher what I've been doing with moving heat.

Alex nodded.

Once again, something tweaked in his brain.

Yet, he still couldn't put his finger on it.

Not yet at least.